Waste to Energy Potential A High Concentration Anaerobic Bioreactor Presenter: Scott Murphy & Rebecca Robbennolt ARCADIS/Malcolm Pirnie Date 23 May 2010
Introduction Renewable energy and landfill diversion key for Department of Defense. The National Defense Authorization Act of 2010: 25% of energy needs from renewable energy sources by 2025. Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan 2011: Divert 50% of non-hazardous solid waste from the waste stream by 2015. 254 million tons of solid waste each year Some states have similar goals and objectives. Organic waste collection programs exist in FL, CA, WA, AZ VA, MN, OH, PA, MD, and NC. Solid waste management an increasing challenge high cost of landfill management, transportation costs, tipping fees, etc. ARCADIS High Concentration Anaerobic Bioreactor (HCAB) process addresses these issues.
Anaerobic Digestion What does it do? Offers sustainability by addressing renewable energy, waste diversion, and beneficial reuse How does it work? Uses anaerobic digestion in an energy-efficient, minimum-capacity tank, resulting in high energy output Uses the organic portion of solid waste (such as food waste, paper products, and agricultural waste) to fuel an anaerobic digestion process bacteria consume approximately 50-70% of the solids placed in the bioreactor and, generate a biogas What do you get? Biogas that can be used to generate electricity Residual solids that can be used as a soil amendment
Anaerobic Digestion Steps Solubilization & breakdown of complex organics by microbes in O 2 depleted environment Complex microbes and fermentative bacteria break down organic carbon to VFAs Acetogens break down VFAs to CH 3 CO 2 and H 2 + Acetoclastic methanogens break down CH 3 CO 2 to CO 2 and H 2 O Hydrogenotrophic methanogens convert the H 2 and CO 2 to CH 4
HCAB Timeline 2006-07 Field pilot 2007 Bench Studies and Patent Application 2010 Patent Approved 2011 Initiate Pilot Study at Eglin AFB 2005-07 Review and Concept
HCAB Operating Process What is the HCAB? A unique combination of existing technologies. Advancements allow the reactor to be operated at high solids concentrations What is special about it? Patented internal rake arm for solids control High solids concentration feedstock High volatile solids loading Practical features: The process uses naturally occurring bacteria, also found in landfills, wastewater digesters The equipment design is based on standard equipment There is no need for the purchase of specialized spare parts
Eglin AFB Project Overview ARCADIS studied available waste streams at Eglin Air Force Base and determined the quantity and quality of the waste ARCADIS installed a pilot system capable of processing up to 700 pounds per day of organic waste A full scale system is planned, capable of processing municipal solid waste Currently the Pilot Study has been completed and design of the fullscale system is underway
HCAB Pilot Operation, Eglin AFB August 2011 through March 2012 8 24 May 2012 2011 ARCADIS
Objectives of the Demo Establish the inoculation/startup procedures Optimize presorting requirements Evaluate biogas quality Establish biogas pre-conditioning requirements Understand the cause of upset conditions Determine optimal mixture of feedstock biological kinetics at pseudo-steady state optimal solids concentration torque requirements for mixing optimal operating temperature solids and volatile solids destruction biogas volume nutrient value of waste sludge composition of wastewater side streams
Process Flow Diagram Waste Collection/ Segregation Weigh Individual Waste Streams MIX TANK Sampling Process feedstock Through grinder Intimate Mixing with Biosolids Sampling Introduction to Bioreactor Gas Production Solids Destruction Sampling Wasting to Waste Tank Disposal
Pilot Plant
Field Measurement Summary Mix Tank Reactor Waste Tank ph Methane Load Cell Data Temperature Gas flow Load Cell Data Torque Feedstock Density Motor speed Solids Density ph Temperature Pump status
Snapshot - Data Collection
Feedstock Addition
Operational Summary Feedstock Mix Tank Bioreactor Waste Tank Collection Biosolids Addition Waste/ Recycle Waste Solids Storage Preparation Mixing Biogas Production Sampling Grinding Sampling Sampling Field Analysis Sampling
Composition Summary Composition testing determined the effects of different waste streams on the overall chemistry. Composition 1 Food Waste Paper Towel Waste Composition 2 Food Waste Paper Towel Waste Food Grade Grease Stable Waste Wood Waste
17 24 May 2012 2011 ARCADIS Results
Data Compilation Measure actual results against the target goals & objectives Extrapolate the results to a full scale system Determine actual energy output potential for a full scale system
Volatile and Total Solids Volatile Solids = food for microbes high VS loading and corresponding high VS destruction = higher efficiency Volatile Solids in Feedstock Goal 80 % Actual for Composition 1: Average 92 % Actual for Composition 2: Average 70% Volatile Solids Destruction in bioreactor Goal 60 % Actual for Composition 1: Average 79.4% Actual for Composition 2: Average 76.8%
Volatile Solids in Mix Tank (% of TS) Volatile Solids Composition 100.0% 90.0% 80.0% GOAL = 80% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% Composition 2 10.0% Composition 1 Composition 1 Composition 2 Composition 1 0.0% 9/9/11 9/24/11 10/9/11 10/24/11 11/8/11 11/23/11 12/8/11 12/23/11 1/7/12 1/22/12 2/6/12 2/21/12 3/7/12 3/22/12 % Volatile Solids Date
Volatile Solids Destruction Volatile Solids Destruction 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% GOAL = 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% Composition 2 10% Composition 1 Composition 1 Composition 2 Composition 1 0% 9/24/11 10/8/11 10/22/11 11/5/11 11/19/11 12/3/11 12/17/11 12/31/11 1/14/12 1/28/12 2/11/12 2/25/12 3/10/12 Volatile Solids Destruction Date
Total Solids Destroyed (%) Total Solids Destruction 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% GOAL = 48% 30% 20% Composition 2 10% Composition 1 Composition 1 Composition 2 Composition 1 0% 9/24/11 10/8/11 10/22/11 11/5/11 11/19/11 12/3/11 12/17/11 12/31/11 1/14/12 1/28/12 2/11/12 2/25/12 3/10/12 Total Solids Destruction Date
Biogas Production Biogas contains methane = fuel source Biogas measured by flow meter Biogas generated was correlated to mass of volatile solids destroyed Biogas produced per unit of VS destroyed Goal 1,222 ml/g VS destroyed Composition 1 1,289 ml/g VS destroyed Composition 2 1,076 ml/g VS destroyed Methane Content Goal 70 % Actual for Composition 1 55% Actual for Composition 2 53%
Biogas Produced (ml/gram Volatile Solids Destroyed) 3500 ml of Biogas Produced 3000 2500 2000 1500 GOAL = 1,222 ml 1000 500 Composition 2 Composition 1 Composition 1 Composition 2 Composition 1 0 9/24/11 10/8/11 10/22/11 11/5/11 11/19/11 12/3/11 12/17/11 12/31/11 1/14/12 1/28/12 2/11/12 2/25/12 3/10/12 Biogas Produced Date
Operational Challenges Mass of Feedstock Mix Tank ph Stability Bioreactor Temperature Bioreactor Foaming Materials Processing Mechanical/Pumping Inert Material Biogas Measurement
26 24 May 2012 2011 ARCADIS Conclusions
Research and Development Demonstration R&D successfully demonstrated: Technology s ability to use organic waste to generate a renewable energy source Alternative to landfill Total and Volatile solids destruction Energy production met or exceeded target ranges Best feedstock - food waste and paper towels Design adaptations required for full scale Economic Evaluation ongoing - economics of full scale system dependent on available feedstock
Full Scale Design Sustainability Objectives Ongoing activities for the marketable full-scale product Further development of the Technology (continued R&D) Confirm O&M cost for a full scale system Scalable design criteria to enhance operation and biogas production Applicability to larger scale Verification of power generation using a microturbine Refinement of the financial model and ROI for full scale
29 24 May 2012 2011 ARCADIS Scalable Design
Full Scale Design Objectives Maximize VSL / minimize reactor footprint Minimize equipment power consumption Minimize building footprint Maximize efficiency for MSW sorting Maximize biogas production/energy production Maximize waste application Maximize TS input to the HCAB Consider other applications, such as forward operating installations
Acknowledgments ARCADIS would like to thank the following: Mr. Kevin Porteck and Margaret Douchand AFCEE Mr. Jim Reese Eglin Air Force Base Mr. Dennis Lundquist, Chris Coonfare, and Dr. Mike Von Fahnestock Battelle National Lab Mr. Robert Breckenridge Idaho National Lab Ms. Hilda R. Quinones TEAM Integrated Engineering, Inc.
Imagine the result Presenter: Scott Murphy, ARCADIS Title: Waste to Energy Potential Email: scott.murphy@arcadis-us.com 32